Downtown Phoenix middle school transforms into K-8 charter school

[Source: Betty Reid, Arizona Republic] — A new Phoenix charter school wants to attract college-bound elementary students. University Public School Phoenix launched after a partnership between University Public School Inc. and Phoenix Elementary School District in May. Classes start for 550 preschool-eighth graders near downtown on Aug. 10.

Twenty-seven teachers reported July 20 and started lesson plans, said Debra Gomez, University Public School Phoenix interim executive director. Eventually, the campus at 735 E. Fillmore St., will grow into a preschool-12th-grade campus. “Due to our affiliation with ASU, our students have the opportunity to access various resources and faculty and facilities on the campuses,” Gomez said. “So that being in a college atmosphere becomes part of their expectation as well as their parents.”

The charter school, an affiliate of Arizona State University, also operates Polytechnic Elementary School in Mesa. The Phoenix charter school’s connection to ASU is through the University-Education Partnerships, which coordinates programs for teachers at Arizona colleges and oversees the university-public school initiatives to create campus schools. [Note: Read the full article at Downtown Phoenix middle school transforms into K-8 charter school.]